Biography

Biografhy

Nazareno Biondo is a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene, renowned for his polyhedral works that explore the inherent beauty of marble. With a profound vision, his sculptures convey a silent message that prompts introspection and analysis of both oneself and the modern world.
Biondo’s artistic journey commenced at the esteemed Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin, where he discovered his fascination with marble. From there, he embarked on a career in sculpture, pushing the boundaries of this medium by integrating light and sound. His artistic prowess has earned him international recognition, with numerous awards and accolades from competitions around the world. Notably, his works have been exhibited across Ankara, Bangkok, Lugano, Miami, and most recently, New York City.
Within his creative laboratory, Biondo breathes life into everyday objects, relentlessly seeking formal perfection and conceptual reinterpretation. Employing minimal tools and deliberately eschewing sophisticated technologies, he meticulously crafts each piece by hand. Employing a blend of irony and drama, his works often verge on hyperrealism, intricately reproducing detailed objects, fragments, and elements of contemporary life that symbolize our society.

Throughout his artistic career, Biondo has forged a deep connection with the four elements of nature: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. Inspired by this affinity, he embarks on a journey to explore the interconnectedness of art, nature, and the human subconscious, delving into the realm of Land Art.

Since 2006, Nazareno Biondo has found solace in expressing his thoughts within blocks of marble, witnessing them come to life and sharing them with individuals who possess the kindness and intellectual finesse to appreciate, value, discuss, and critique his work. In the exchange of thoughts lies the profound purpose of humanity’s existence. The impetus for introspection and analysis of oneself and the contemporary world that surrounds us resides within the Sculptor’s works, akin to silent messages. Through captivating performances in historically significant settings worldwide, his works emerge from the confines of societal norms, engaging in a poignant reflection of everyday life.

Currently, Biondo is immersed in a project featuring a series of concealed sculptures located in specific geographic points across the globe. One such sculpture is strategically positioned at a cardinal point in Turin, where it completes a final remnant, an ingot, extracted from his monumental work, a marble sculpted FIAT 500 titled “Old Lady.” These hidden sculptures shall never be lost, as each will be associated with their digitally authenticated versions. An NFT (non-fungible token) representing a 3D model of each artwork will include precise geographic coordinates, marking the location where Biondo chooses to “archive” the physical piece for collectors to find. This ambitious project will endure as a timeless message, a snapshot serving as a testament to our society for future civilizations to decipher and appreciate.

Nazareno Biondo è una figura di spicco nel panorama artistico contemporaneo, rinomato per le sue opere poliedriche che esplorano la bellezza intrinseca del marmo. Con una visione profonda, le sue sculture trasmettono un messaggio silenzioso che richiede l’introspezione e l’analisi sia di se stessi che del mondo moderno. Il percorso artistico di Biondo è iniziato presso la prestigiosa Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino, dove ha scoperto il suo fascino per il marmo. Da lì, ha intrapreso una carriera nella scultura, spingendo i confini di questo mezzo integrando luce e suono. La sua abilità artistica gli è valsa un riconoscimento internazionale, con numerosi premi e riconoscimenti da concorsi in tutto il mondo. In particolare, le sue opere sono state esposte ad Ankara, Bangkok, Lugano, Miami e, più recentemente, a New York City.
All’interno del suo laboratorio creativo, Biondo dà vita a oggetti di uso quotidiano, alla ricerca incessante della perfezione formale e della reinterpretazione concettuale. Utilizzando strumenti minimi ed evitando deliberatamente tecnologie sofisticate, realizza meticolosamente ogni pezzo a mano. Utilizzando una miscela di ironia e dramma, le sue opere spesso rasentano l’iperrealismo, riproducendo in modo complesso oggetti dettagliati, frammenti ed elementi della vita contemporanea che simboleggiano la nostra società.

Nel corso della sua carriera artistica, Biondo ha stretto un profondo legame con i quattro elementi della natura: aria, fuoco, terra e acqua. Ispirato da questa affinità, intraprende un viaggio per esplorare l’interconnessione tra arte, natura e subconscio umano, addentrandosi nel regno della Land Art.

Dal 2006, Nazareno Biondo trova conforto nell’esprimere i suoi pensieri all’interno del marmo, vederli prendere vita e condividerli con persone che possiedono la gentilezza e la finezza intellettuale per apprezzare, valutare, discutere e criticare il suo lavoro. Nello scambio di pensieri risiede lo scopo profondo dell’esistenza dell’umanità. Lo slancio all’introspezione e all’analisi di sé e del mondo contemporaneo che ci circonda risiede nelle opere dello Scultore, come messaggi silenziosi. Attraverso performance accattivanti in contesti storicamente significativi, le sue opere emergono dai confini delle norme sociali, impegnandosi in un toccante riflesso della vita quotidiana.

Attualmente, Biondo è immerso in un progetto caratterizzato da una serie di sculture nascoste situate in specifici punti geografici del nostro pianeta. La prima di queste sculture è strategicamente posizionata in un punto cardinale di Torino, dove completa un residuo finale, un lingotto, estratto dall’interno cavo della sua opera monumentale, una FIAT 500 scolpita in marmo intitolata “Old Lady“.
Queste sculture nascoste non andranno mai perdute, poiché ognuna sarà associata alle loro versioni autenticate digitalmente. Un NFT (token non fungibile) che rappresenta un modello 3D di ogni opera d’arte includerà precise coordinate geografiche, contrassegnando la posizione in cui Biondo sceglie di “archiviare” il pezzo fisico affinché i collezionisti possano trovarlo. Questo ambizioso progetto durerà come un messaggio senza tempo, un’istantanea che funge da testimonianza per la nostra società affinché le civiltà future possano decifrarla e apprezzarla.

Concept

The wistful glorification of a beauty appearing in all its popular magnificent decadence, with neither that aesthetic voluptuousness that clouds the mind. In Nazareno Biondo’s hands, marble becomes a reflection about time and concept of abandonment, taking inspiration from products of common use and from consumer icons of our time, subject to their inescapable laws

Reflections.
The sensitivity of an artist is often overwhelmed by everything around him. Vices, consumption and waste of the contemporary society, as well as all the connected problems, are very well reflected in the subjects of my works.
Objects of common use, like cigarette butts or crushed cans, represented in large dimensions, are made timeless by the noble material in which I sculpt them: the Carrara marble. They well represent a collective mood.
To feel used, for specific purposes, to be then discarded, abandoned; it is a common feeling in the individuals of our nihilist society.
From a block of white marble of 15 tons, with chisel and diamond disks, I am carving an old FIAT 500. As a symbol of a place and especially of a time when the destiny of my generation could still be chosen. The signs of the past years will be clearly visible, as a testimony to the sacrifices made at that time by our beloved and which keep repeating over the time, generation after generation. The work will be hollow inside; removing a door, I will enter the block to empty it from all its values.
If we need to be able to communicate something through art and more precisely through sculpture, then I choose, with a critical eye, to emphasize how important it is to abandon the culture of waste in favor of that of reuse. And it is for this reason that I use the scraps of the great sculptures to obtain the representation of luxury goods like bribes and ingots.
Glasses, mask, precision and reflection on everyday life and on the western mass culture pervade my artworks. Nothing in my work, as in the world in which we live, should be wasted.

Esaltazione nostalgica di una bellezza che appare in tutta la sua magnifica popolare decadenza, senza voluttuosità estetica a velare le menti. In Nazareno Biondo il marmo diventa riflessione sul tempo e sul concetto di abbandono, traendo ispirazione tanto da prodotti di uso comune, quanto dalle icone consumistiche del nostro tempo soggette alle loro inderogabili leggi.

Riflessioni.
La sensibilità di un artista viene spesso condizionata e travolta da tutto ciò che lo circonda.
I vizi, i consumi e gli sprechi della società contemporanea si riflettono molto nei soggetti che raffiguro.
Oggetti di uso comune, scarti del quotidiano come mozziconi di sigaretta o lattine schiacciate, rappresentati in grandi dimensioni, sono resi eterni dal materiale nobile in cui vengono scolpiti, il marmo di Carrara.
I miei lavori sono la metafora di uno stato d’animo collettivo, rappresentano una sensazione comune diffusa tra gli individui della società contemporanea, ovvero il sentirsi usati, per precisi scopi, per poi esser scartati e abbandonati.
Da un blocco di marmo bianco di 15 tonnellate, tra scalpello e dischi diamantati, sto intagliando una vecchia FIAT 500, per me il simbolo di un luogo e soprattutto di un tempo in cui il destino della mia generazione si poteva ancora scegliere.
I segni degli anni trascorsi saranno ben visibili, come testimonianza dei sacrifici compiuti in quei tempi dai nostri cari e che continuano a ripetersi nel tempo, generazione dopo generazione.
L’opera risulterà cava al suo interno, togliendo una portiera entrerò dentro il blocco per svuotarla da tutti i suoi valori.
Se bisogna riuscire a comunicare qualcosa attraverso l’arte, e più precisamente attraverso la scultura, allora scelgo, con occhio critico, di sottolineare quanto sia importante abbandonare la cultura dello spreco in favore a quella del riutilizzo ed è per questo motivo che uso gli scarti delle grandi sculture per ricavare la rappresentazione di beni di lusso come mazzette e lingotti.
La riflessione sulla quotidianità e sulla cultura di massa occidentale è una costante imprescindibile delle mie opere. Nulla nel mio lavoro, come nel mondo in cui viviamo, dovrebbe esser sprecato.

Curriculum

Education:

2011
Thesis degree in sculpture at the Accademia Albertina delle Belle Arti in Turin, Italy, 110 cum laude.

2007
Thesis short Academy of Fine Arts.

2003
Artistic Maturity First Art School of Turin, Italy.

Solo Exhibitions:

2023

“Suoni Sospesi” curated by Daniela Magnetti, Palazzo Bricherasio, Turin, Italy.

Performance “Bills of the Bull” Wall Street, New Your City, USA.

2022

Performance “Seven Archangels Bomb” Chiesa Gran Madre, Turin, Italy.

Performance “We are Smoke” Art Basel, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

“B”, Valuart, Paradiso, Lugano, Swiss.

“Mangia’s”, Selinunte, Sicily, Italy.

“Polvere d’Artista MMXXII”, Aimo Room, Lugano, Swiss,

2021

“Polvere D’Artista MMXXI” Palazzo Saluzzo Paesana, Turin, Italy.

Performance “Old Lady” marble sculpture of fiat500 in the river PO, Turin, Italy.

“Marble&Tires Sculptures” Ride, Milan, Italy

2019

Performance: “The artist Nazareno Biondo Bring around the city of Turin, his marble sculpture, old Fiat 500” From journal “La Stampa”.

“Polvere d’Artista” Palazzo Saluzzo Paesana, Turin, Italy

2018
BACC Bangkok Art and Culture Center, curated by Embassy of Italy, Bangkok, Thailand

2015
Gallery Franz Paludetto, Turin, Italy.

2014
“Dolce Stil Novo” of Alfredo Russo, royal palace of Venaria, Turin, Italy.
“Omaggio ad Antigone” by Sabrina Sottile, Collegno, Italy.

2013
State Archives of Turin, Italy.
“Sculptural models and painting projects” by Italian Cultural Institute, Kara Gallery, Ankara, Turkey.

Group exhibitions:

2023

” Legàmi” Oratorio del Santo Sudario, Biella, Italy.

“Chroma ad Fin-it-um” curated by Intermarble, New York, USA.

2021

“Pleasuretown” Art Basel Miami, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

“Resilience” ABC Stone, New York, USA.

“Apart Fair” Promoter of Fine Arts Palace, Turin, Italy.

“Vinil Art Mania” Ride, Milan, Italy.

“Mellone Art Prize” Villa Rescalli Villoresi, Milan, Italy.

2019

“Welcome to the machine” Politecnico, Turin, Italy.
“Art for Excellence” Mastio, Turin, Italy.
“The Others Art Fair” Manuel Zoia Gallery, Turin, Italy.
“Feral Horses” Paratissima, Cavallerizza, Turin, Italy.
“Art & Design Fair” Paratissima, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, Italy.
“Men Women & Conscience” Manuel Zoia Gallery, Palace Brentano, Milan, Italy.
“exPEAUsition” Paratissima Art Fair, Bologna, Italy.
DavideCoffa Contemporary Art, Alba, Italy.

2018
“Bloody Blast Show” Neon Gallery, Turin, Italy.
“Milano Scultura” Manuel Zoia Gallery, Milan, Italy.
“Art Verona” Manuel Zoia Gallery, Verona, Italy.
“Ludocrazy” Milan-Cagliari-Napoli-Turin, Italy.
“Paratissima” Base Milan, Italy.
“Arte Forte” Forte dei Marmi, Italy.
“Floristeria” Milan, Italy.
“La Vespa nella Storia e nell’Arte” curated by Mark Bertazzoli, M.A.C.I.S.T. Biella, Italy.
“Animali Notturni” IAAD, Bologna, Italy.

2017
“Boscareto Resort” Serralunga d’Alba, Italy.
“Hit parade” MAUTO, Turin, Italy.
“Massive Attack” Paratissima, Turin, Italy.
“ArtVerona” Davide Paludetto Gallery, Verona, Italy.
“Animali Notturni” Turin, Italy.
“screen 2nd floor” Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
M.A.C.I.S.T. Museum permanent collection, Biella, Italy.

2016
“Art for Excellence” by Carlotta Canton and Sabrina Sottile, Archive of State, Turin, Italy.
“Downtown Exhibition” Padova, Italy.
“Arte Padova” Padova fair, Italy.
“G@p”, Torino esposizioni, Italy.
“Paradox” by Simona Cirelli and Azahara Hernando, Torino esposizioni, Italy. Dolce stil Novo, royal palace of Venaria, Turin.
“Accatelier” Turin, Italy.
Vecchiato Arte, Pietrasanta, Italy.
“Miserere” in collaboration with Arca, Vercelli.
Isculpture Gallery, San Giminiano, Italy.
Castle of Rivara, Italy.

2015
“Expocasa” Lingotto Fair, Turin, Italy.
“ISculpture” Gallery in San Giminiamo, Italy.
“Sculptures in the Park” JW Marriott, Mazzoleni Arts Events, Rose Island, Venice, Italy.
“Transmutation” edited by Francesca Canfora, Vercelli, Italy.
“ART FOR EXCELLENCE”, Turin, Italy.
“Coffi Film Festival” Berlin, Germany.
Gallery Nuova Pesa by Simona Marchini, Rome, Italy.
“G@P” (Gallerie at Paratissima) Gallery Davide Paludetto, Turin, Italy.
“Useless Army” by Francesca Canfora and Cristina Marinelli, Turin, Italy.
Arte Padova, Vecchiato Arte, Padova, Italy.
Galleria Vecchiato Arte, Padova, Italy.

2014
“Sculpted by the Crisis” by Francesca Canfora, Turin, Italy.
“Zoomaginario 2014” Zoological Bio Park, Cumiana, by Francesca Canfora and Daniele Ratti.
“Sculpted by crisis II” by Francesca Canfora, Castle of Rivara, Italy.
“Pinacoteca Tabusso”, by Angelo Mistrangelo, Rubiana, Italy.
“Sculpted by III Crisis” by Francesca Canfora, Turin, Italy.
“Your Perception” by Federica Corlazzoli, Turin, Italy.
“G @ P” (Galleries at Paratissima) Gallery David Paludetto. Turin, Italy.

2013
“Tools-Space-Mind”, Milan, Italy.
“Art Innsbruck” 17th contemporary art fair, Innsbruck, Austria.
“17 Short-sighted”, Turin, Italy.
“Hit Parade”, Turin, Italy.
“PIX Paratissima 9” Turin, Italy.

2012
International “Art Jungle”, Royal Palace of Venaria, Turin, Italy.
International “Food Art Awards” ducal palace of Ceglie Messapica, Brindisi, Italy.
“Memories and Suggestions” of the town of Arnesano, Lecce, Italy, third prize.
“Paratissima 8”, Turin, Italy.
“Human Rights” Piazza dei Mestieri, in collaboration with the Fondazione Sandretto, Turin, Italy.
“Journey to the Center of the occult power” Unique Gallery, Turin, Italy.

2011
“Without Borders”, by Angelo Mistrangelo, Turin, Italy.

2010
“to see first hand” Italian Union of Czechs and visually impaired people of Trento, Italy.
Award of Merit by the critic Francesco Poli.

Work experience:

2018
“Parafuture” Laboratory of sculpture, Marmora Barracks, Turin, Italy.

2017
“Parafuture” Laboratory of sculpture, MAUTO, Turin, Italy.

2016
“Parafuture” Laboratory of sculpture, Torino Esposizioni, Turin, Italy.
“Parafuture” Laboratory of sculpture, Steam Factory, Milan, Italy.

2013
Realize the Alpini monument, Cafasse, Turin, Italy.
Workshop Association “E”, ArtSquare, and directors Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio.

2012
“Cube, ice sculptors” ice sculptures in the streets of Turin, Italy.

2008
He realizes war memorial cross without sailors, Cafasse, Turin, Italy.

2001
Unternational competition “living sculpture” Foundation Peano.
2 illustrations Published in the book “Flashes, the dawn of time tomorrow” Giovanna Ternavasio editions the capital.

Symposium of Sculpture:

2013
Town of Quargnento, Alessandria, Italy, winning the first prize.

2012
Bodrum in Turkey organized by Aspat Culture Art and Education Foundazion with the participation of the Italian Institute of Culture in Ankara; on selection.

2011
Town of Quargnento, Alessandria, Italy, first prize sponsors “The swallowed up.”

2009
Town of Quargnento, Alessandria, Italy, prize “Opera Prima”.

2008
Town of Mondovi, Cuneo, Italy, on selection, Matericamente gallery.